European Inspiration features a great combination of destinations - Berlin, Prague, Munich, Rome & Paris to name a few - plus a couple of nights in each place, giving you time to really explore each city. With a stopover in the Swiss Alps & plenty of awesome extras - this trip is one you won't want to miss.

Top Offers & Trip Notes

Itinerary + Inclusions & ME Time Optionals

ME Time Optionals

ME Time optionals will take your trip to a whole new level with unforgettable experiences unique to the places you
visit. See more, do more, live more & go home completely regret-free. Costs for these aren’t included in your
tour cost & are payable to your Trip Manager in local currency.

Inclusions

On our trips we don't just take you to the destinations, we make sure you get under the skin of every place you visit. From amazing food & accommodation, to exclusive access to incredible experiences, with Contiki you'll get unbeatable value & a completely unique travel experience.

1
Arrive London

Check-in to your hotel after 2pm and the remainder of the day is free to relax before meeting your fellow travellers for your Kickstart meeting this evening. Afterwards why not grab some dinner at one of the local restaurants or take a short walk to explore nearby Covent Garden

2
London to Amsterdam

Meet up with your Contiki Team before we hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. Next stop: the buzzing, free-wheeling city of Amsterdam.

Check out Amsterdam’s eye-opening Red Light District, where the creative and wacky come together on narrow cobbled streets, 24/7. Get some pointers on the city’s hot spots from your Trip Manager and head into town for a fun night out.

Hotel
Dinner

See the White Cliffs of Dover

See Amsterdam's canals & gable houses by night

3
Amsterdam

Cycle around like the laid back locals and cruise into the countryside, past working windmills, in the world-famous cheese village of Edam.

Free time this afternoon to experience Amsterdam’s coffee shops, museums and quirky boutiques. Wander along the canals and past gabled houses or try out Amsterdam’s multi-ethnic cuisine. This cultural melting pot dishes up loads of affordable food.

Tonight, try some of the traditional local cuisine at a restaurant in a nearby fishing village. With an optional evening canal cruise, there’s a chance to toast your travels with the group, unwind with a few drinks and uncover another angle on Amsterdam at water level.

For your last night in this city, get some pointers from your Trip Manager, dive into Amsterdam’s night action with your buddies and finish up your travels with a night to remember.

Hotel
Breakfast

See canals & a windmill on a countryside bike tour in Edam

Visit a cheese farm & clog maker's house

Volendam Dinner

Euro 31.50

Canal Cruise (1.5 hours)

Euro 31.50

4
Amsterdam to Berlin

Motor down the autobahn and get ready for a dose of über-cool Berlin.

With two nights in this historical hot spot, you’ve got time to find out what makes Germany’s capital one of the most cutting-edge cities in the world. It’s hard to believe that this funky town has had such a troubled past.

On arrival your Trip Manager will peel back the layers of history and point out the lesser-known details of Berlin’s troubled past on an orientation tour of the city.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

See the Tiergarten, Alexanderplatz, Russian War Memorial, Brandenburg Gate & historic Reichstag building

Take in commemorative artwork & the remains of the Berlin Wall

5
Berlin

Today why not join a local guide for a tour? Learn about the East/West split at the Berlin Wall and check out the controversial Reichstag (German Parliament) as well as Tiergarten (one the world’s biggest parks). You'll also visit Checkpoint Charlie, where many East Berliners tried to escape to the West, and be reminded of Germany’s darker past at the Brandenburg Gate.

With free time, get inspired by Berlin’s creative scene and check out its galleries and street art. As a world forerunner in contemporary art, Berlin’s walls are covered in cutouts and graffiti.

Shopping-wise, this town has it all and is right up there defining style. Berlin is great for small boutiques, funky fashions and one-of-a-kind buys. Your Trip Manager knows Berlin’s ins and outs, so get some pointers before you splurge.

Do as the Berliners do and grab a currywurst (a local favourite) and kick back at a Bierkeller (German beer house).

Experience the world of espionage in an optional evening Eye Spy Berlin tour with our Local Guide, and enjoy a fascinating look into the Stasi (what was once the East German Secret Police). Then top off your time in Berlin with some of your new friends and explore the city’s legendary nightlife. With cool cocktail bars and some of the best techno clubs in the world, there are heaps of fun choices.

Hotel
Breakfast

See the site of Checkpoint Charlie

Berlin historical walking tour

Euro 9.50

Alternative Berlin

Euro 25.00

6
Berlin to Prague

Heading south, we roll on to the region of Dresden, often dubbed ‘Florence of the North’ because of its beauty.

This town completely rebuilt itself after being flattened in World War II. Your Trip Manager will show you Dresden’s signature buildings, like the Opera house, the domed Frauenkirche, the Royal Residence – once home to the Saxon Kings – and the massive Zwinger Palace, where the royals went to party!

Lunchtime! Go local and hang out in a river side beer garden, order some hearty German dishes with regional specialities like sour roast and potato soup.

Then we head over the border and into the Czech Republic to Prague.

Prague is a beautiful and atmospheric city. It’s also pretty compact, so it’s best explored on foot. Get straight into Prague’s historic heart with your Tour Manager. You’ll walk together over the landmark Charles Bridge, through Hradčany Castle, the home of the original Bohemian Kings and to the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral along the way.

With a night off, spend some time in the picturesque Old Town Square, where historic buildings and churches surround cafés that spill out onto the pavement. With some world-famous Czech pilsner in hand, park yourself at a table, people-watch and try out some of the traditional local dumplings.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Visit the city destroyed in World War II and known as the 'Florence of the North'

See the rebuilt Baroque architecture of the Royal Residence, Zwinger Palace, Opera House and Frauenkirche

See Hradčany Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square

Visit the Old Town Square and see the Astronomical Clock

7
Prague

More free time means you can get deeper into Prague’s Old Town in your own time. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a jumble of little lanes, alleys and courtyards. Slow the pace down and give yourself a chance to uncover its hidden treasures. This is also the spot to pick up some famous Bohemian glass, beads or garnet and amber jewellery.

Choose a river cruise on the Vltava, which runs through the heart of Prague, and take in stunning views of the city from the water. The Czech capital has a really mixed past so look out for signs of the Holy Roman Empire, the Bohemian Empire, the Nazis and the Communists.

By night, Prague is loaded with all types of music, from jazz bars and hip DJs to opera. There is something for everyone, so make the most of it with the group.

Hotel
Breakfast

River cruise with buffet meal

Euro 29.00

Nuclear Bunker Tour

Euro 15.00

8
Prague to Munich

This morning, remember one of history’s darkest moments with a sobering stop at the Dachau concentration camp memorial. Learn more at the museum and walk through the remaining living quarters.

Afterwards we travel to the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich - a city that blends traditional Bavarian culture and modern lifestyle.

Explore the heart of Munich’s old town with the crew, and head to Marienplatz. It’s a central gathering spot famous for the Glockenspiel - a Gothic clock, complete with 32 dancing figures and 43 chiming bells.

Then, get a taste of tradition at a typical beer hall. Park yourself at a long wooden table, order yourself some hearty local food, like roasted pork knuckle, and quench your thirst with a stein of one of Germany’s 5000 brews.

Hotel
Breakfast

Visit the Dachau concentration camp memorial

See the Glockenspiel & Marienplatz

Visit a traditional beer hall

9
Munich

Use your free time to discover more of Munich. Give an optional bike tour a go and get off the beaten track and onto Munich’s side streets with our Local Guide.

Otherwise head back to the old town and hunt around the little shops on the pedestrian-only lanes or for a change of scene, head to the university area. With shaded streets, buzzing pavement cafés and cute bookstores, it’s a great way to spend a chilled-out afternoon.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Mike's Bikes Tour

Euro 20.00

10
Munich to Venice

Wind through the Bavarian Alps and over the Brenner Pass to Venice. But first, roll on through the Tyrol’s massive mountains to a region famous for adventure sports. Dive into some whitewater rafting in an adrenaline-pumping optional activity on the river.

Next up is Venice. Known as the “floating city”, Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Scenic drive past vineyards, orchards & castles

White Water Rafting

Euro 42.00

11
Venice

Known as the “floating city”, Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals.

The group travels on our private boat through the waters of the lagoon to visit the city’s historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the Gothic arches of the Doge’s Palace and the expanse of St. Mark’s Square (pigeons and all!) show off Venice’s unique beauty and way of life.

Take some time to explore the floating city and lose yourself in the backstreets. There’s an optional walking tour where you can discover the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi and markets with our Local Guide. You’ll see historic monuments, hidden treasures and the Rialto market – a local favourite for food shopping.

Maybe grab a table on St. Mark’s Square and eat some delicious Italian food al fresco.

Cap off the day with an optional gondola ride & share this amazing experience with your friends - seeing Venice from on the water is unforgettable!

Hotel
Breakfast

Private boat through the canals & islands of Venice

See the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Square

See Venice's iconic canals & gondolas

Venice walking tour

Euro 11.00

Gondola ride

Euro 22.00

Venetian restaurant

Euro 32.50

Tour t-shirts

From Euro 18.50 - 29.00

12
Venice to Rome

Say farewell to the canals & gondolas of Venice, before reaching ancient the jawdropping sights of ancient Rome.

Stylish Rome oozes energy and overflows with relics from another age. Our special access coach tour gets you right into the thriving atmosphere of this living timeline as your Trip Manager shows you the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia. Continue on foot to check out the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Honour tradition at the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin in the fountain’s waters (it’s meant to improve your chances of returning to Rome!) or maybe hang out with your new friends at the Spanish Steps, sit back with a few slices of pizza and people watch.

This morning, make the most of our Local Guide’s inside knowledge with an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Then check out Rome’s imperial glory by visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Take off into the city and absorb the atmosphere, as Vespas flash past timeworn monuments that are surrounded by fountains, pizzerias, cafés and bars. Before you hit the shops, let your Trip Manager point you in the right direction with some tips on the best buys.

In your free time, live the local lifestyle by indulging in a long lunch on a paved piazza or knock back a shot of espresso at the bar, like the Romans do.

Hotel
Breakfast

Vatican Tour

Euro 34.00

Rome of the Emperors and Gladiators including the Colosseum

Euro 26.00

14
Rome to Florence

Next up: Umbria’s many vineyards.

Before arriving in Florence, we’ll stop off for a wine tasting in the rustic hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, known for its iconic cypress trees and olive oil. In an historic 16th century villa, the group will see a working winery, complete with its old cellar and vats. Here you can learn more about the region’s wines as you taste a glass or two of the local wine.

The scene-stealing Duomo Cathedral rises above Florence, which serves up frescoes, markets and priceless art. Before dinner, walk along the River Arno with your Trip Manager, take in the atmosphere and head into the heart of Florence, where you can sit back and relax Tuscan style with a glass of Chianti wine.

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Guided tour of a 16th century Tuscan winery while enjoying local Chianti & antipasto

15
Florence

Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum. Our Local Guide gives you the inside track as the group learns about Florence’s cultural beginnings and explores streets crammed with artworks from masters like Michelangelo. Then take a look into a skillful demonstration of Florentine leather making and understand this region’s traditional art.

With bargains and bustle, the city’s markets are a great place to hang out. Grab a gelato and enjoy this gorgeous city.

Tonight, there’s a choice of a group dinner – an authentic Tuscan feast. Try regional dishes in a fantastic Tuscan country setting. Then keep it moving with a night out and get your groove on at Florence’s biggest nightclub.

Hotel
Breakfast

Discover the Secrets of Michelangelo's Florence – see where his David was gifted to the Florentines, Ponte Vecchio, the Medici Palace & much more on our locally guided walking tour of Florence

En route north, stop by Pisa and get up close to the famous Leaning Tower before we head to the jaw-droppingly beautiful Alpine town of Lucerne.

With covered wooden bridges, cobbled lanes and quaint buildings, Lucerne’s centre is perfect to explore on foot. Also to stock up on lots of genuine Swiss chocolate! Your Tour Manager can give you pointers on where to pick up the best-priced watches that Switzerland is so famous for.

Feature Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

Feature Hotel: Swiss Mountain Hotel

See the Leaning Tower of Pisa

See the Wooden Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

17
Lucerne

Get above the clouds on the world’s steepest cog railway with an optional excursion to Mt. Pilatus. You can see massive mountain ranges with a bird’s-eye view over this spectacular region.

This afternoon, choose an optional cruise on one of Europe’s most striking lakes, where stunning scenes of the Swiss Alps reflect back across the water.

Feature Hotel
Breakfast

Feature Hotel: Swiss Mountain Hotel

View the Lion Monument

Mt. Pilatus

Euro 45.00

Lake Lucerne Cruise

Euro 23.00

Swiss Fondue Lunch & Show

Euro 45.00

18
Lucerne to Paris

With down-time on the coach, plug in your MP3, chill out to some music and chat with friends while travelling through the scenic wine producing region of Burgundy.

Tonight, the group kick-starts Paris with the 'Tour of Illuminations', which shows off the French capital’s transformation into the “City of Lights”. Lamp-lit bridges and cool little cafés give us a real taste of Paris’ romance. Your Trip Manager will fill you in on the world’s most-recognised monuments, like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

Then get a stunning view of the entire city with included entry to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Oui, oui, Paris!

Hotel
Breakfast,Dinner

See Chablis & Burgundy vineyards

Exclusive 'Paris by Night' sightseeing tour

See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral

Check out Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower

19
Paris

Next up: Fragonard! This perfumery has an elegant interior and is a unique setting for a look into the history of perfume. It’s also a chance to pick up some French perfume at great prices.

This town is loaded with possibilities. Discover its many bistros, museums, tree-lined avenues and diverse quartiers (neighbourhoods). Get a feel for French flair by window shopping on the Left Bank. Step into the Notre Dame or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre, where you can get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. In your free time, try indulging in some delicious pastries and relax in one of Paris’ many cafés.

Tonight is the last night with your friends, so make it special. Treat yourself to the full Parisian experience with a cabaret show, complete with can-can girls, dinner and Champagne. But don’t stop there – afterwards hit the clubs and finish up your travels with a big Parisian night out.

Hotel
Breakfast

Visit a French perfumery

Moulin Rouge

Euro 149.00

20
Depart Paris

This morning after breakfast we transfer you to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (estimated arrival 10:00am) where your trip ends. Or choose to take a complimentary transfer to central London & extend your stay.